Joshua Gunn - Applaud Me

Typically, listeners wait until a song’s finished before clapping. And that’s if you’re at a live show; if you’re sitting at your desk at home like yours truly, giving your computer speakers applause is generally not necessary (and it’ll probably startle your cat). Never one to follow conventions, however, Booth newcomer J Gunn demands listeners “Applaud Me both during and after his latest single. Even if you do comply, though, don’t make too much noise—you might miss something. Like the alliteration that packs the Carolina repper’s bars (“Spit as sick as syphilis, you are insignificant, specifically speakin’ to the peeps who wasn’t listenin’”), or the tuneful flute accents running through Exquinox Productions’ head-noddable, break-driven groove. No less worthy of applause are the record’s guest contributors: East Coast vet (and Gunn’s Dubose Music Group supervisor) MC Lyte showcases her time-tested rhyme skills on a dope middle verse, and singer Brandon Pierre keeps the momentum up with a catchy, multilayered chorus. If you’re inspired to put your hands together after listening to this joint, then you’ll doubtless find more to enjoy on Gunn’s Faithful Struggle LP, scheduled to drop in October.